Abstract
Simple SummaryBoth marine and terrestrial mammal predators come into conflict with humans in Europe and yet their situations are rarely compared. Areas of conflict include the predation of livestock and farmed fish, and also perceived competition for wild prey (for example wolves competing with hunters for deer and seals competing with fishermen for salmon). A lethal method (shooting) and non-lethal methods of conflict reduction used for terrestrial large carnivores (e.g., bear, wolf, wolverine, lynx) and marine mammals (seals) are discussed and their potential impacts on predator welfare are considered. The importance of carrying out an animal welfare assessment when choosing a control method is emphasized along with possible assessment methods. Recommendations for future work are also made.The control of predators, on land and in the sea, is a complex topic. Both marine and terrestrial mammal predators come into conflict with humans in Europe in many ways and yet their situations are rarely compared. Areas of conflict include the predation of livestock and farmed fish, and the perceived competition for wild prey (for example wolves competing with hunters for deer and seals competing with fishermen for salmon). A lethal method (shooting) and non-lethal methods of conflict reduction (including enclosures, guarding, and aversion) used for terrestrial large carnivores (e.g., bear, wolf, wolverine, lynx) and marine mammals (seals) are discussed. Control measures tend to be species- and habitat-specific, although shooting is a widely used method. Potential impacts on predator welfare are described and welfare assessments which have been developed for other wildlife control scenarios, e.g., control of introduced species, are considered for their potential use in assessing predator control. Such assessments should be applied before control methods are chosen so that decisions prioritizing animal welfare can be made. Further work needs to be carried out to achieve appropriate and widely-accepted animal welfare assessment approaches and these should be included in predator management planning. Future research should include further sharing of approaches and information between terrestrial and marine specialists to help ensure that animal welfare is prioritized.
Highlights
Wild animals come into conflict with humans in Europe in a variety of circumstances and, both marine and terrestrial mammalian predators are involved in such interactions, their situations are rarely compared
Other areas of conflict include the perceived competition for wild prey [4,5], the predation of endangered prey which wildlife managers are interested in protecting, e.g., wild forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus) [6] and damage caused to crops and beehives by bears [7]
This paper considers conflict mitigation methods used to eliminate or deter large terrestrial predators (e.g., grey wolf (Canis lupus), brown bear (Ursus arctos), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and wolverine (Gulo gulo)) alongside those used to deter or eliminate marine predators (grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), harbor or common seal (Phoca vitulina), ringed seal (Pusa hispida), and Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus)) in Europe
Summary
Wild animals come into conflict with humans in Europe in a variety of circumstances and, both marine and terrestrial mammalian predators are involved in such interactions, their situations are rarely compared. Decisions about how predators are managed are rarely based on non-biased scientific studies [13] Other factors such as whether the mitigation method is ethically acceptable, the feasibility of applying the method, perceptions about whether the method will work or not, cost-effectiveness, target specificity and human safety might influence which method is chosen [13,15]. The most common method of lethal control (shooting) and non-lethal control methods used in terrestrial and marine environments are described and considered in terms of how they might impact animal welfare It is not in the scope of this paper to carry out an actual assessment but, rather, to provide an introduction to the topic
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
